Calls for more fare support to elderly on islands

A district councillor representing the city's outlying islands on Monday called for more fare concessions for elderly passengers when the revised transport subsidy policy kicks in at the same time as higher ferry fees. Islands district councillor Lau Chin-pang said the increases could place a greater financial burden on elderly residents, as they would have to pay 20 percent of the fares instead of just HK$2 on ferries. He said single journeys could reach around HK$40 to HK$50 after the rise in ferry fares on April 1, meaning elderly residents would have to pay up to HK$8 or HK$9 on weekends and public holidays even with the public transport subsidy. "While the government is shouldering 80 percent of the fares in the subsidy, should ferry operators also bear social responsibility? They could offer a monthly pass or multi-trip pass," Lau said. DAB lawmaker Elaine Chik, who's also an Eastern district councillor, urged the authorities and public transport operators to assist the elderly and passengers with disabilities to adapt to the policy change. She said, for example, buses could be labelled differently to help commuters identify which ones exceed HK$10. Edited by Tony Sabine